Whale watching speedboat from Dalvik near Akureyri: RIB boat

Chase whales and seals across Iceland's longest fjord at speed

An express whale watching speedboat tour departing from Dalvik, a fishing village 30 minutes from Akureyri, in a fast RIB boat equipped with suspension seats designed to absorb shock and reduce fatigue. You travel across Eyjafjordur, Iceland's longest fjord, with a 99% success rate for spotting whales, dolphins or seals. If you don't see any, you get another tour free. Between mid-April and mid-August, puffins are common in the fjord. The tour runs two hours and includes flotation coveralls and life vests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching tour from Dalvik

• Drive 30 minutes to Dalvik
• Sail out to Eyjafjordur fjord
• Whale watching near Hrísey Island
• Stop to look for seals

The experience

The speed of a RIB boat lets you cover more water and reach whale grounds farther out than slower vessels. You depart from Dalvik, a small fishing village, and head into Eyjafjordur, where the fjord's width and depth make it one of Iceland's best marine wildlife habitats. The boat passes Hrísey Island, a pearl-shaped landmark in the middle of the fjord where whales often surface, and stops to look for seals hauled out on rocks in roughly half the tours. The suspension seats, scientifically designed to absorb shock, keep you stable and comfortable even when the boat accelerates across open water.

The two-hour window is tight enough to fit into a day based elsewhere in North Iceland, yet long enough to reach the productive grounds beyond the fjord mouth. Puffins nest in the cliffs and islands from mid-April through mid-August, so you'll often spot them alongside the larger marine mammals. The flotation coveralls and life vests are provided. You just need to show up ready to move fast and stay alert for the moment a whale breaks the surface.

What’s included

• Flotation coveralls and life vests.
• suspension seats engineered for shock absorption and comfort.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• passage across Eyjafjordur and around Hrísey Island with stops to search for seals.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (8 to 15 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arctic Sea Tours

Is this one for you?Dalvik's location 30 minutes from Akureyri and public transport access means you don't need a rental car to board this tour, making it straightforward if you're staying in town or moving between North Iceland's main hubs. The RIB boat's speed and the two-hour duration fit neatly into a day with other activities, rather than consuming a full morning or afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 15 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the success rate for seeing whales on this tour?

Arctic Sea Tours guarantees a 99% sighting success rate for whales, dolphins or seals. If you don't see any marine mammals, you receive another tour for free.

How far is Dalvik from Akureyri, and can I get there without a car?

Dalvik is a 30-minute drive from Akureyri. Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach the departure point without renting a vehicle.

Will I see puffins on this tour?

Between mid-April and mid-August, puffins are abundant in Eyjafjordur and you are likely to see them. Outside those months, puffin sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens during the tour if we spot seals?

The boat stops to observe seals hauled out on rocks in roughly half of all tours. Seals are common in Eyjafjordur, especially near Hrísey Island in the middle of the fjord.